Upper Truckee Waterfall

Fall, winter, spring, or summer, the Upper Truckee waterfall has been a favorite hike of mine for many years. While following the trail past the quaking aspen, the suspense builds and I begin to look forward to the surprise of how much water we will find. In late spring and early summer, when the snow is melting throughout the watershed, the river gushes and water flies over the top of the waterfall. The pool swells and dipper are often seen on the rocks, searching for a meal.

Then, in fall, the flow slows and the waterfall is reduced to a single stream, working its way down the rock. In spring, there is so much water that the log which has become lodged in the center of the waterfall is obscured, now it becomes a primary feature.

Finally, in winter, when the air is cold, the mist freezes midair and forms icicles like frozen curtains decorating the face of the rock. Occasionally, when conditions are right, round ice sheets forms in the pool like frozen lily pads.

Pretty soon after getting my Phantom 4 Drone, we headed to Tahoe for a week long vacation. After a few flights in the national forest, I felt comfortable with the flight controls of this new drone and was ready to capture some photos of our favorite waterfall.

Capturing the waterfall from above was tricky with the many trees and overhanging branches. I took off 20 feet upstream where there was a break in the canopy. Once airborne, I navigated the drone backwards and over the top, taking several photos of my wife and I standing at the top, before turning the lens downward to capture this photo of the waterfall and pool.

I love the contrast between the grey and brown stone, the green leaves of the trees and shrubs, and the blue hue of the water. Each of those elements stand out to me in this picture, but when combined, remind me that a river has three distinct parts: the geology that it flows across, the water itself (coming from melted snow high in the watershed), and the living organisms that rely on the water for life.

I look forward to returning to this waterfall, with or without my drone, to take in the beauty of water pouring over the top of these boulders.